The first thing we had to do was to get a Korea visa. We went to Marikina Travel Hub which is a travel agency where we always get our visas and we passed all the requirements there. It costs 1500 PHP per person. Make sure to look for Ms. Maricar so that she can help you process your visa [(0917) 522 1368]
After a week, she notified us and said that we can get our visa already. We were surprised that they gave us multiple visas for 5 years.
(Yey more reasons to go back to Korea!)
(Yey more reasons to go back to Korea!)
Before our flight, I had to finalize the itinerary. I booked through KKday which is very convenient because they offer huge discounts from over 80 countries! KKday allows you to book your own tour and create personalized itineraries at your fingertips. On their homepage, you can search by destination and it will show you the popular activities and curated suggestions based on seasons, festivals, and your own personal interests. Booking with KKday is pretty easy as well — you can choose to visit www.kkday.com or download the KKday app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Here are the list of items/tours that I booked from KKday:
Nami island, Petite France, and Ganchon Rail Bike Day tour from Seoul
Seoul Lotte World Ticket
Seoul Lotte World Ticket
Seoul to Incheon International Airport Private Transfer
The crazy thing was that the schedule of our flight changed three days prior to our initial departure date. I had to contact KKday to change the date of the private transfer and the pick up for the pocket wifi. It was a good thing they responded quickly!
NOW WE ARE ALL SET!
Day 1:
The moment we arrived at the Incheon terminal Airport, we got the pocket wifi that was booked via KKday after we got our luggages at the KT Olleh Booth. I only had to fill in the form that was given and give my credit card information in case of emergency. It’s good to be back in Seoul now that I’m connected to the ultra fast Pocket WiFi 24/7!
The pocket WiFi comes with a charger, a user guide manual, and a padded protective case.
After that, we were welcomed by a driver who took us to our hotel through a private van (this was also booked via KKday).
He also took a photo of the exact location he was in to easily find him.
He even sent a selfie of himself (so cute oppa!!!)
He also took a photo of the exact location he was in to easily find him.
He even sent a selfie of himself (so cute oppa!!!)
Our private van was huge for three people! It was so clean and really comfortable that I literally fell asleep while going to Myeongdong for an hour!
We arrived at Ekonomy Hotel Myeongdong Premiere. I booked there because it is less costly compared to other hotels and the location is amazing. It is located at the heart of Myeongdong street market itself which is a tourist destination since it contains a lot of places to shop for souvenirs and also places to eat. Once you get out of the hotel, the first thing you see is a money changer.
Water dispensers are located in every floor so there’s no need to buy bottled water (thank you since we are heavy water drinkers). They also have free breakfast. It was really simple and basic: egg, bread, butter, coffee, tea, milk, grape juice, and orange juice but it was totally worth it since the room is only 4k php (for 3 pax) per night! Not bad at all!
Day 2:
After our breakfast, we visited the Myeongdong Cathedral to express our gratitude and thanks.
Went to Namsangol Hanok Village where you can see Korean traditional houses that have been restored to preserve the original atmosphere of the area and share them with tourists visiting Korea. It was a great, inexpensive cultural day since it has no entrance fee!
You can also rent and where Hanbok here, the traditional Korean dress. It costs 10000 KRW or 450 PHP for an hour. which is pretty cheap! Now I felt like I was a princess!
Strolled around Myeongdong. Went to the Cat cafe (even if I hate cats 😠but my sister wants to go). It costs around 11000 KRW or 450 PHP per person with free drinks! You can choose between iced tea, coffee, juices, etc.
It looks like I was calm but I was really freaking out! Believe it or not, I really enjoyed it since the cafe was very clean, the place didn’t smell like cats and the cats looked healthy and well-fed.
After that, we went to Style Nanda Pink Hotel to buy 3ce lipstick! And also to take photos because the place was very instagrammable!!!
Went to Itaewon via train and used our T-mobile cards.
Prior to our arrival, my Korean friend Jinho Jeong bought 3 cards for us, went to our hotel and handed it over to the lobby. He is the sweetest!
He gave us limited edition T-Money BTS cards! It was very convenient since we don’t need to buy tickets anymore. We just had to go to a convenience store and load the cards.
Prior to our arrival, my Korean friend Jinho Jeong bought 3 cards for us, went to our hotel and handed it over to the lobby. He is the sweetest!
He gave us limited edition T-Money BTS cards! It was very convenient since we don’t need to buy tickets anymore. We just had to go to a convenience store and load the cards.
We decided to eat at Lagrillia for late lunch.
We had the set menu for 3 which consists of drinks, salad, pasta, pizza, and most specially, steak!
It was really good! My friend Beatriz told me about the place! Kuddos to you girl! After that we planned on going to Incheon Market but unfortuntely they were closed every Tuesday.
It was really good! My friend Beatriz told me about the place! Kuddos to you girl! After that we planned on going to Incheon Market but unfortuntely they were closed every Tuesday.
Went back to Myeongdong to try some of the street food!
We tried so much food ranging from fried cuttlefish, gimbap, grilled shrimps, croissant bungeooppang, to strawberry red bean mochi! You check my Korea vlog to see all the food that we ate!
Roasted lobster with cheese
Grilled scallop with cheese
Day 3:
I woke up at around 6 am to get ready for my tour with KKday since the bus is leaving at 8 am and I have to be there 15 mins before the departure time (not filipino time here!). Walked for 6 minutes from my hotel going to the place where we have to meet: Shinsegae.
As soon as I got into the Kkday bus, our tour guide, Miss Jenny, gave me free ham and cheese sandwich and a bottled water!
Going to Petite France takes about one and a half hour from Myeongdong.
I am now in Petite France! It is a small french village that consists of brightly colored house!
You can find museum, workshops, and restaurants inside the cute little houses! They even had a hotel/guesthouse where you can stay!
They also shot so many movies and koreanovelas here. It's currently one of the most visited tourist spots!
You can find museum, workshops, and restaurants inside the cute little houses! They even had a hotel/guesthouse where you can stay!
They also shot so many movies and koreanovelas here. It's currently one of the most visited tourist spots!
Went back to the bus and after 15 mins, we arrived at our destination: Nami Island.
Took a ferry going to Nami island. The ferry ride takes approximately 5 to 6 minutes. It was really hassle free because we do not have to wait in line to get the tickets since KKday fixed it for us already.
I strolled around the island and took in the beautiful views and sceneries that it had to offer. There are so many activities such as biking, sky biking, zipline, etc. and there are also a lot of restaurants and souvenir shops.
Took a ferry going to Nami island. The ferry ride takes approximately 5 to 6 minutes. It was really hassle free because we do not have to wait in line to get the tickets since KKday fixed it for us already.
I strolled around the island and took in the beautiful views and sceneries that it had to offer. There are so many activities such as biking, sky biking, zipline, etc. and there are also a lot of restaurants and souvenir shops.
Can't believe the last time I was here was 10 years ago!
I was so blessed to see the cherry blossom petals falling! That's one off my bucket list.
On Nami island, one man's junk is another man's treasure! I wonder who drank all these soju bottles!
Took the ferry again to go back to the bus.
The next stop is Gangchon RailPark.
I was so blessed to see the cherry blossom petals falling! That's one off my bucket list.
On Nami island, one man's junk is another man's treasure! I wonder who drank all these soju bottles!
Took the ferry again to go back to the bus.
The next stop is Gangchon RailPark.
You can choose between the two or four seater bike! We biked for an hour and thirty minutes and it was way better than what I expected. There were times that we had to go into tunnels and there were lights and bubbles, it was crazzy!
It’s sad that I’m alone because my mom and my sister chose to go to Lotte World, (they booked it also via KKday) but I managed to make a friend! Her name is Isabella and I met her because she sat next to me at KKday bus. She was also alone during our trip and she said the she’s from Chile. First, she went to Japan for two weeks then to Korea for a week! I love making friends when traveling solo!
It’s sad that I’m alone because my mom and my sister chose to go to Lotte World, (they booked it also via KKday) but I managed to make a friend! Her name is Isabella and I met her because she sat next to me at KKday bus. She was also alone during our trip and she said the she’s from Chile. First, she went to Japan for two weeks then to Korea for a week! I love making friends when traveling solo!
After the day tour I walked back to Hotel to fetch my mom and sister to eat for dinner.
We ate at Woorigarden! Authenticity at its finest! We had bulgogi, cold noodles, and beef stew! Really really good!
We ate at Woorigarden! Authenticity at its finest! We had bulgogi, cold noodles, and beef stew! Really really good!
Day 4
We woke up early around 4am because we went to my friend’s place at Choongbook Innovative City! We took the train for about 30 mins and went to the bus station that took 1 and a half hour.
Jinho fetched us at the bus terminal. He was my classmate back in high school. Her wife, Nikki, is Filipina as well!
They have the cutest daughter named Nahyeon. We can’t really understand each other because of the language barrier (she can only understand Korean) but my heart is always full when I'm with her.
They have the cutest daughter named Nahyeon. We can’t really understand each other because of the language barrier (she can only understand Korean) but my heart is always full when I'm with her.
Our first stop was the Dae Jang Geum Park. For the fans of KDramas, visiting this filming location is a dream come true!
So many TV series were shot here including the famous Koreanovela “Jewel in the Palace”.
It was really big and we had so much fun getting to know Korean culture. We also saw the ancient prison and their historic battle grounds.
So many TV series were shot here including the famous Koreanovela “Jewel in the Palace”.
It was really big and we had so much fun getting to know Korean culture. We also saw the ancient prison and their historic battle grounds.
We were hungry from walking around so I asked Jinho a huge favor to bring us to authentic Korean Samgyupsal.
We ate at Yukhawonchik and it was really good! The pork tasted amazing and the side dishes were unlimited so we ate so much!
We ate at Yukhawonchik and it was really good! The pork tasted amazing and the side dishes were unlimited so we ate so much!
We also ate Yukhoe. It is a raw meat dish and served with a separated egg yolk. It was really really good!
I'm an adventurous eater and I love trying out new delicacies!
It was a cheat day for everyone.
After that we tried the indoor baseball at Strikezon.
I thought it was easy but the truth is, after 30 attempts I didn’t score any points at all.
I thought it was easy but the truth is, after 30 attempts I didn’t score any points at all.
We went to the market to buy San nakji!
It’s a live baby octopus. So happy that my mom and my sister loves it since I’ve tried it already. It tastes like sashimi but like, moving sashimi. You dip it with a salty sesame oil and it was really delicious! We ate it at their home while we watched ‘Kingdom’ which is a series on Netflix.
It’s a live baby octopus. So happy that my mom and my sister loves it since I’ve tried it already. It tastes like sashimi but like, moving sashimi. You dip it with a salty sesame oil and it was really delicious! We ate it at their home while we watched ‘Kingdom’ which is a series on Netflix.
Nikki also cooked miso soup and steak with soup (tasted like mechado with Korean twist) for us!
It was a good memory and experience, but the time was limited so we had to go back to Myeongdong. It was a really good catch up!
Day 5
Went to a Cafe Gaene which is a dog cafe.
It is a place where different breed of dogs wander around and play with you while you sip your favorite drink!
The entrance fee is 8000 KRW or 360 PHP and plus 2000 KRW or 90 PHP if you want to get a drink which is pretty cheap.
Sit on the floor and lay a blanket on your lapland the would crawl instantly! AHHH my heaaaart!!!
It is a place where different breed of dogs wander around and play with you while you sip your favorite drink!
The entrance fee is 8000 KRW or 360 PHP and plus 2000 KRW or 90 PHP if you want to get a drink which is pretty cheap.
Ate street food again. I think we ate all kinds of the street food that was being sold. This is called Arirang hotdog that costs 3000 KRW or 135 PHP.
Roamed around Myeongdong and bought pasalubong!
Koreans have good skin because they have so many skincare shops and products!
Koreans have good skin because they have so many skincare shops and products!
Day 6
Flew back to reality
So bitin! I just got home and I can’t wait to go back to Korea again!!!
If you want to have a hassle-free vacation, visit KKday website or downloaod KKday app on App Store or Google Play
Use my code "AKIKO10" for 10 percent discount!
If you want to have a hassle-free vacation, visit KKday website or downloaod KKday app on App Store or Google Play
Use my code "AKIKO10" for 10 percent discount!
Special thanks to Agatha Chua and Gianne from KKday!!! It would not be this fun if I hadn’t booked with KKday!!!
And Jinho, Nikki, and Nhayeon Jeong for touring us around!
Check out my Korea Vlog to know more on my Youtube channel! xoxo
Check out my Korea Vlog to know more on my Youtube channel! xoxo
